GENERAL ADMISSIONS INFORMATION:

The field of psychology is wide-ranging; virtually any aspect of human behavior and development can be viewed from a psychological perspective.Psychologists work in many different settings, including colleges and universities, government agencies, schools, businesses, and clinics, and do a variety of jobs, from teaching to counseling to conducting research.

The Psychology Department at Geneseo aims to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of the scientific discipline of psychology, opportunities for practical experience, and growth in the understanding of self and others. The Department emphasizes excellence in teaching and active student involvement in scientific empirical research and applied internships.

The Undergraduate ProgramThe bachelor's degree program in psychology at Geneseo is designed to permit flexibility and encourage exploration within the field of psychology and across other academic disciplines. Emphasizing the scientific foundations of psychology, the major includes solid preparation in research and statistical methods, exposure to four basic content areas of psychology (biological bases of behavior, cognition and perception, social/personality, and developmental psychology), and room for electives to suit individual needs and interests.

Electives offered by the Psychology Department include such courses as Abnormal Psychology, Psychology of Happiness, Sports and Exercise Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, Educational Psychology, Human Sexual Behavior, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Environmental Psychology, Health Psychology, Psychology of Women, Clinical Psychology, Psychological Testing, and Cross-Cultural Psychology. During the senior year, all students take a seminar-style advanced research course that allows intensive exploration of a particular research topic.

MinorsGeneseo psychology majors are encouraged to pursue a minor, chosen from any of the major academic disciplines or from the interdisciplinary minors offered by the College. Minors often provide additional training and intellectual background useful for careers and graduate study.

Geneseo offers a wide range of interdisciplinary minors. The Human Development minor combines course work in psychology, sociology, anthropology, and biology to explore various aspects of child, adolescent, and adult development; it is especially appropriate for students interested in teaching, counseling, or other human service careers. The Cognitive Science minor introduces students to an interdisciplinary field that ranges across the disciplines of computer science, linguistics, philosophy, and psychology. The minor is excellent preparation for students planning to pursue graduate work in experimental psychology or human factors, among other areas. The Women's Studies minor examines the issues surrounding women's roles in today's world, drawing on courses from departments across the social studies and humanities. Other interdisciplinary minors often chosen by psychology majors include Environmental Studies, Latin American Studies, Legal Studies, Linguistics, Public Administration, and Urban Studies.

Research and InternshipsResearch and internships both provide students with valuable experience and enhance chances of admission to graduate school. The Geneseo Psychology Department offers exceptional opportunities for students to engage in scholarly research with faculty members. Current research projects involving students include studies of sibling and peer relationships in children and adolescents, visual attention, neuroimaging of cognitive processes, posttraumatic stress disorder, relationship dynamics, sexual aggression, mortality awareness, happiness, threat and prejudice, motivation and school achievement, lexical processing, neurotoxicology of flame-retardant chemicals, and sleep and health-related behaviors.

During the junior and senior year, psychology majors can apply for community internships in a variety of settings, including businesses, schools, and agencies serving children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. Teaching internships are also available in the Psychology Department, giving students the opportunity to assist professors in a variety of classes.

Preparation for Careers and Graduate StudiesAs a liberal arts degree, a bachelor's in psychology provides excellent preparation for entry-level positions in a variety of fields after graduation. Recent graduates have found jobs in human services, human resources, sales and marketing, medical and behavioral research, business management, and other occupations that require an understanding of human behavior.

Most professional careers in psychology require education beyond the bachelor's level, and Geneseo psychology majors are well prepared for graduate school. Recent graduates have pursued master's degrees in such fields as school psychology, social work, forensic psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, school counseling, art therapy, public health, and education. Others have entered Ph.D. programs in clinical, developmental, cognitive, social, and counseling psychology, as well as related fields such as neuroscience and sociology. Graduates also regularly go on to medical and law school.

In the last few years, the Psychology Department has sent its graduates to master's and doctoral programs at Boston College, Cornell University, Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Johns Hopkins Univesity, Penn State, Syracuse University, the Universities of Illinois, Minnesota, and Oregon, and UC Berkeley, to name a few. Graduates have also gone on to medical schools at University of Pittsburgh, Stony Brook University and University at Buffalo, as well as law schools at Boston University, University at Buffalo, and SUNY Albany.

FacilitiesThe Psychology Department offices and classrooms are located in Sturges Hall. Laboratories, located in several campus buildings, include facilities for animal research, observational research with children, and perceptual, cognitive, and social research with adults.